Another big weekend of EPL action upon us but there’s one match that looks likely to steal the show. Chelsea host Tottenham this weekend and although it’s not the biggest of London derbies, it’s sure to have a lot of attention after their previous meeting towards the end of last season. It was a match that had a huge amount of intensity and not just in the pure way the football was played but also with some of the physicality that it produced on and off the pitch after the match. It was all built from Chelsea’s desire to prevent Tottenham from winning and remaining in the hunt for the title. All of that makes for a great build-up to their meeting this weekend and something to look forward to in-between all the other action.
H to H Multi Bet: Leicester win ($1.83), Watford win ($2.37), Manchester United win ($1.44), Arsenal win ($1.36) = $8.49
Match Day 13 Best Bet: Leicester to beat Middlesbrough at $1.83
**Odds from Sportsbet as at 26th November
Burnley vs Manchester City
This is somewhat of a David versus Goliath match up, but Burnley shouldn’t be underestimated at home. They have the 4th best home record in the league with 4 wins, a draw and 2 losses with just 6 goals conceded. To make it interesting though, Manchester City have the best away record in the league with 5 wins from 6 away matches. There one loss came away to Tottenham when they had a really off day with Spurs in sublime form on the day. Burnley will present a stubborn defence and may frustrate City at times but it’s difficult to see Manchester City losing this one.
Predicted score: Manchester City 2-0
Best Bet: Manchester City to win to Nil at $2.3 (80%)
Next Best: Manchester City -1 handicap at $1.83
Hull vs West Brom
Hull still sit in the relegation zone but a good performance could see them out of it. They need to get past a difficult opponent in West Brom who’ve put in some good performances this season. The Baggies have also won their last 2 straight and will fancy their chances of another good result here. Hull are coming off a home win and their 3rd of the season so they will have a little bit of momentum to take into this but the strength of the Baggies defensively will make this a difficult match for Hull to score in. Hull have scored just 10 times in 12 matches and just 3 times in their last 6. Home advantage may help but the best they can hope for here is a draw.
Predicted score: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.6 (85%)
Next Best: Half-time draw at $1.91
Leicester vs Middlesbrough
Things are still not ideal for Leicester in the league this season, but in the Champions League things are going very nicely. If they can take that form into the Premier League then they will start climbing the table very quickly and they should have a good chance of it at home to Middlesbrough this weekend. They’ve lost just the one Premier League game after their Champions League fixtures this season and with that being their only home loss of the season, they should be in a strong position to win this one. Also with just 4 goals conceded at home this season, it may make for a difficult day for Middlesbrough.
Predicted score: Leicester 2-0
Best Bet: Leicester to win at $1.83 (90%)
Next Best: Under 2.5 goals at $1.73
Liverpool vs Sunderland
There were no goals to be had for Liverpool last week as they settled for a scoreless draw with Southampton. It also meant they had to relinquish top spot to Chelsea, at least for a week. Sunderland is their opposition this week and despite the Black Cats winning two straight, this is surely back to winning ways for Liverpool. Offensively they have been brilliant this season and look way too strong for Sunderland. Defensively Sunderland have had some improvements the past few matches with just 1 goal conceded but it’s a different prospect going from Bournemouth and Hull to Liverpool away. Sunderland have nothing to lose which could be dangerous through periods in this match, but Liverpool should be winning this. There hasn’t always been a lot of goals between these two recently with 3 of the last 4 producing under 1.5 results but with Liverpool’s attack, expect that to change.
Predicted score: Liverpool 3-0
Best Bet: Liverpool to lead at Half-time at $1.45 (90%)
Next Best: Liverpool to win both halves at $2.2
Swansea vs Crystal Palace
The hunt for form continues for both sides. Palace haven’t won in 5 matches whilst for Swansea, who sit bottom of the league, they haven’t won since their opening match of the season. Palace look the better equipped side, they’ve just had a pretty tough run where in their last 6 matches they’ve conceded 14 goals. Swansea aren’t far off that trend with 12 conceded over the same time but their major problem is a lack of goals. They have just 11 for the season and it doesn’t look like they’re going to make a breakthrough in that area anytime soon. Palace can still score and boast a pretty threatening attack in Benteke, Townsend and Zaha and they may just cause Swansea a few too many problems.
Predicted score: Crystal Palace 2-1
Best Bet: Crystal Palace to win either half at $1.86 (75%)
Next Best: Over 2.5 goals at $1.87
Chelsea vs Tottenham
No doubt the match of the weekend with Tottenham looking for revenge whilst Chelsea will be keen to continue their stunning run of form. Chelsea have won 6 straight but perhaps more impressively they’ve scored 17 times to go along with 6 clean sheets. They’re well placed to hand Tottenham their first league defeat of the season with Spurs having a few problems building with injury and patchy form despite being undefeated. The absence of Alderweirdeld and Lamela has hurt Tottenham and this week they’ll also be without Danny Rose due to suspension. That poses a problem for Pochettino with their only other regular player in that position Ben Davies injured. It’ll mean a reshuffle at the back which is a worry against Chelsea in this kind of form. The positive though is that Kane is back and has found some form with 4 goals in his last 3 appearances. There’s always the unknown of a derby and the build up to this will be big from last season. In the end though, Tottenham might just fall short given Chelsea’s run of form.
Predicted score: Chelsea 2-1
Best Bet: Both teams to score – yes at $1.67 (85%)
Next Best: Half-time Draw at $2.1
Watford vs Stoke
Both sides have won 3 of their last 5 and Stoke can be a difficult side on the road but the absence of Joe Allen for Stoke seems a big loss. He’s provided plenty through their midfield and has given them a boost since joining this season. Watford are undefeated in their last 4 home matches with Stoke in a similar position having not lost away in their last 3. Both sides can be defensively stubborn but the loss of Allen in midfield for Stoke gives Watford a slight edge.
Predicted score: Watford 1-0
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.78 (80%)
Next Best: Watford to win at $2.37
Arsenal vs Bournemouth
The Gunners have had a few too many draws lately with 3 in their last 4 and have stuttered slightly to drop to 4th on the table. It looks a tough ask for Bournemouth to cause a major upset here having claimed just 1 win away from home this season. The additional absence of Jack Wilshere won’t help much either given he’s on loan from Arsenal and cannot play against his parent club. He hasn’t been in stunning form by any means, but it’s change nonetheless that Bournemouth will need to manage through. Arsenal just look too strong though and anything other than a win will be considered a big failure here.
Predicted score: Arsenal 3-0
Best Bet: Over 2.5 goals at $1.52 (85%)
Next Best: Arsenal to win to Nil at $2.5
Manchester United vs West Ham
Sitting 6th on the table, Manchester United aren’t in a terrible position but they would have expected more as many others would have given their additions over the summer. Defensively they haven’t been as strong as they were last season with 14 goals conceded from their 12 matches which is the main reason they find themselves in 6th with just the 5 wins for the season. At home they have been better defensively with just 5 goals conceded and that bodes well ahead of their match against West Ham here. The Hammers have been terrible this season but away from home they have been really poor. They’ve had just 1 win on the road and have conceded 14 in 6 away games. Last week’s defeat to Tottenham in the final minutes won’t do their confidence any good. With just 2 minutes to go in regular time, West Ham let a 2-1 lead turn into a 3-2 defeat. Now heading away to Manchester United, it looks like it’ll be another difficult day.
Predicted score: Manchester United 2-0
Best Bet: Manchester United to win at $1.44 (90%)
Next Best: Manchester United Half-time/Full-time at $2.1
Southampton vs Everton
Southampton did a great defensive job last time out to keep Liverpool scoreless. They need to replicate that against Everton this weekend but also take their chances up front. The Saints will be coming off an away defeat in their Europa league campaign and they haven’t had a lot of successful results after playing in the Europa League. Everton are a decent side and on their day can be lethal through Lukaku up front and it should make for a pretty even contest. It will also be the first time Koeman faces his old club where he’ll be keen to get a win but Southampton will surely feel the same way about getting one up on their former manager.
Predicted score: Draw 1-1
Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals at $1.71 (80%)
Next Best: Half-time draw at $2
